Insignia carrying device



Nov. 18, 1958 o. v. ANDERSON INSIGNIA CARRYING DEVICE Filed 001;. 24, 1955 INVENTOR. OLOF v. ANDERSON 1% $1M Jim ATTORNEY United States Patent 2,860,395 INSIGNIA CARRYING DEVICE Olof V. Anderson, Cowesett, R. I., assignor to Anson Inc., Providence, R. I., a corporation of Rhode island Application October 24, 1955, Serial No. 542,343

4 Claims. (Cl. 24-90) This invention relates to an insignia carrying device and more particularly to an insignia carrying device for use as an article of jewelry.

One object of the present invention is to provide a very simple and inexpensive device into which characters, such as initials, emblems, religious and fraternal insignia may be readily secured in position by snapping at the time of purchase by the retail sales clerk.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device, such as a ring, cuff link, tie clasp and the like, with means to securely hold in position, emblems, insignia personal to the wearer and to permit the interchange of emblems by the wearer without the danger of the emblems becoming dislodged or loosened from position.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of an insertable insignia carrying device in which the resiliency alfords a means by which the insertion of the insignia may be held in position, the resiliency being in an intermediate member between the insignia and the holding member. The insignia may be provided with glazed or enameled surfaces on rigid material to maintain them in definite position, without danger of cracking or scratch ing the surfaces. And still another object of the present invention is the utilization of a rearwardly-extending edge portion on the monogram as a means for securing or holding the monogram in position within the holding member.

In the past insignia, monograms, emblems or charactercarrying devices were provided with serrated edges which were embedded in rubber or the insignia contained within itself a spring action which co-acted with the housing or holding member to form an assembled unit. The insignia of necessity had to be fabricated of a thin material containing a degree of resiliency.

These insignia were extremely limited for use as an article of jewelry. In general they were used as personal emblems on automobile doors, automatic pencils, fountain pens and plaque holders.

The present invention is directed to articles of jewelry such as cufi links, tie clasps, rings and the like wherein lightness in weight, compactness in size and appeal to the aesthetic senses is a critical necessity.

With these and other objects in view, the present invention consists in certain novel features of construction, as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Like reference characters refer to like parts in the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of a calf link embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the several parts which comprise the present invention.

In proceeding with the present invention there is provided a guide member 11 having a base 19, upturned lateral sides 12 and 13, resilient cars 14 and 15 formed in one edge, and orifices 16 and 17 located in said base. Resilient ears 14 and 15 may be fabricated as a single car.

A housing or holding member 20, shaped to form'a cavity 29, is provided with a four sided window 21 and retaining ears 23 and 24 in opposite ends. An insignia carrying member 25 provided with personal or social insignia 26 have a ledge 27 cut into the insignia display face and one edge.

A backing member 30 which may represent the base of a cufi link or tie clasp is provided with orifices 31 and 32 which are aligned with orifices 16, 17 respectively.

In assembling the several parts, guide member 11 is placed on backing 30 with orifices 16, 31 and 17, 32 in alignment respectively. Housing 20 is then placed over both guide member 11 and backing 30. Retaining ears 23 and 24 are then bent, folded or turned over to grip backing 30 and thus provide an insignia receiving device. An insignia or monogram 25 having a ledge 27 cut in an edge which is positioned opposite the edge which will engage resilient ears 14, 15 is angularly or slantingly placed in window 21 with ledge 27 engaging and underlying edge 33 of housing 20. Insignia 25 is then snapped into horizontal position with resilient ears 14 and 15 pressing against surface 28 to resiliently hold ledge 27 against and to underlie edge 33.

A pointed dowel 35 is provided, in the event it is desired to change insignia 25 held in housing 20. Dowel 35 is inserted in either orifices 31, 16 or 32, 17 and forcefully projected against the underside of insignia 25, overcoming the holding force of resilient cars 14 and 15. Insignia 25 will pop out of window 21. A new insignia may be inserted as previously described. When the present invention is employed as part of a cuff link, backing member 30 is provided with post openings 41, 42 having a saddle 43 midway between said post openings. Guide member 11 is provided with locating opening 44. A post member consisting of legs 45, 46 joined together with a bridge formed with a projection 48 is provided to hold the several parts together as a unit. Before the unit is assembled as previously described, legs 45, 46 are passed through post openings 41, 42 respectively and projection 48 engages locating opening 44 as guide member 11 is positioned against backing member 30. The several parts are then assembled as previously described without the need of solder or other adhesive. A bar toggle 50 is swivelly mounted between legs 45, 46 by means of a pin 47.

Having shown as described, by way of example, a preferred embodiment of the present invention; it should be realized that structural changes could be made and other examples given without departing from either the spirit or scope of this invention.

What I claim is:

1. An insignia carrying device comprising a backing member, a guide member, a first means to secure said guide member to said backing member, a holding member formed with a cavity and provided with a window, a second means to secure said holding member to said backing member with said guide member located in said cavity, an insignia carrying member, resilient means on said guide member and a ledge in said insignia to removably secure said insignia carrying member in said cavity with the insignia of said insignia carrying member viewable through said window and said ledge engaging said holding member with a force provided by said resilient means.

2. An article of jewelry comprising a backing memberhaving a first orifice, a guide member having a base, a.

second orifice located in said base and aligned with said first orifice, a first means to hold said base on said back-- ing member, a holding member formed with a cavity and.

Patented Nov. 18, 1958 provided with a window, a second means to secure said holding member to said backing member with said guide member located in said cavity, an insignia carrying member having a ledge in one edge, a third means on said guide member to, removably hold said insignia carrying member in said cavity with said ledge underlying a portion of said holding member and projecting through said window, the aligned first and second orifices providing for the removal of said insignia carrying member from said cavityagainst the opposition of said third means.

3. An insignia carrying device comprising a backing member, a guide member having upturned lateral sides and a resilient ear, aligned to rest against said backing member, a holding member having a window and a retaining ear, positioned .over said guide member and said backing member, said retaining ear being folded to secure said holding member to said backing member and an insignia carrying member having a ledge, said insignia carrying member being held in said window by means of said upturned lateral sides and said resilient ear urging said ledge in underlying position beneath one side of said window.

4. An article of jewelry comprising a backing member provided with a first orifice, a saddle and post openings on opposite sides of said saddle, a guide member having a base, upturned lateral sides on said base, a resilient ear formed in one edge of said base, a locating orifice and a second orifice provided in said base, said second orifice and said first orifice being in alignment, a post member member and said base with said guide member located insaid cavity and said retaining ears folded against said backing member to secure said holding member to said backing member and an insignia carrying member having a ledge, said insignia carrying member snapping into position within said cavity and projecting through said window with said ledge underlying a portion of said holding member and said upturned lateral sides and said resilient ear guiding and holding said insignia carrying member in said cavity.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 283,864 Covell Aug. 28, 1883 1,412,810 Rosenthal Apr. 11, 1922 FOREIGN PATENTS 939,551 France Apr. 26, 1948 

